My aunt and uncle sent this out to our family at 6:30 AM today. Carrie is my young cousin, a very gifted artist, and the second eldest among her siblings. She and her family are in Michigan.

Prayer reqeust from my aunt and uncle (Carrie is their granddaughter).

This morning on her way to work Carrie's car slid on the highway and into a tree. She has very bad injuries, especially to her head. Her brain is swelling and she is now in surgery. They plan to open her skull to allow for the swelling, and she is not responding.

They don't give her parents a lot of hope. We are telling everyone so you can join us in praying for our dear Caroline. They called her parents about 7:45 this morning and they're at the hospital now.

Update July 15

From my aunt and uncle

Dear Friends, Here is an update on Carrie from her sister. We were over there last week when some of these things happened. One of the nurses thought Carrie seemed "different" one day, more attentive and alert.

We don't know when Carrie will recover. It's just a matter of when, but we know she will recover.

Love, [my aunt and uncle]

From Carrie's sister, L

Our family certainly appreciates every single prayer for us and for Carries healing.

Improvements:

- Carrie wrinkled her nose when someone brought a rose for her to smell - She shows discomfort [at appropriate times] - Her skin and hair look great! - Sometimes she makes little sighing sounds when shes relaxed or happy. - Her eyes [respond] when a light is shown in each. I remember in the hospital when one pupil was huge and one was tiny and neither would flinch when a light was shown.

[Medically speaking]

- Carries EEG showed brain activity only in her frontal lobe. Interestingly, this is the area of the brain for personality and emotion. The other areas of the brain show diffuse damage and there is no way to determine from this test if she has experienced brain shearing (nerves slicing apart because of the impact of the crash). - Carrie continues to cough all the time. It is good that she can take care of the extra mucus in her lungs, but we would like her to be fully healthy. - Carrie is still experiencing tone issues  which mean her muscles are stiff and will contract on their own because they have been out of use for so long. Physical therapists work with her legs, and occupational therapists work with her arms, but it is a regular battle to keep Carries muscles relaxed. - Carrie is going to see a rehab specialist on Friday. This doctor will run several tests to determine what can be done from this point.

Thank you for your continued support. It is so nice to know that were not alone.

Love, C and L (for Mom and Dad)

Father, I lift the whole family to You, asking for Your peace that goes beyond all of our understanding. I pray You will sovereignly work to focus all their attention on You, not on what the doctors say or expect or don't know. Fill everyone with a higher level of faith. You are the Great Physician! In Jesus' Name I come against all discouragement and I draw into each family member, even each doctor or medical person involved, the wisdom and words that You want revealed at this time. I shut the mouth of any lions on the scene which may have no faith in You, and I loose the truth about Carrie's healing process that You know and delight in, to enter into the hearts of all who love her. You are the Resurrection and the Life and it is by Your hand that Carrie lives and breathes today. Thank You, God, for all Your tender mercies. I pray for a renewing of divine patience for her family as they wait for the day when You raise Carrie up again.

I sent this to Carrie's sister today.

God holds all of Carrie's faculties in His hands. I know they did not disappear into oblivion, for even in death all our mental faculties exist and live in our spirits and souls; they are just transferred to a new domain. My prayers are that God continues to restore Carrie's faculties until a day when He commands her whole being to be reunited and the Carrie you have known and LOVED is returned to you again in a Lazarus-type moment.

2,722
posted on 07/15/2007 3:28:53 PM PDT
by GretchenM
(What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? Please meet my friend, Jesus)

Holy Father - we continue to ask that Your spirit sustain Carrie and her family and caregivers, and restore the tissues that were ripped apart. Thank you Lord for all You have done and will continue to do - we know You are faithful. You can be no other.

Thanks for another update. Reading Carrie’s improvements made me smile. Continued prayers being sent your way. Like you said, recovery is just a mater of time. The body sets its own pace or schedule for recovery - not doctors or family or friends (probably for the best, even though it may not always seem or feel that way) - with “gentle” and “gradual” (recovery) being two key words, I believe. Thanks again for keeping us posted!

Father, I lift the whole family to You, asking for Your peace that goes beyond all of our understanding. I pray You will sovereignly work to focus all their attention on You, not on what the doctors say or expect or don't know. Fill everyone with a higher level of faith. You are the Great Physician! In Jesus' Name I come against all discouragement and I draw into each family member, even each doctor or medical person involved, the wisdom and words that You want revealed at this time. I shut the mouth of any lions on the scene which may have no faith in You, and I loose the truth about Carrie's healing process that You know and delight in, to enter into the hearts of all who love her. You are the Resurrection and the Life and it is by Your hand that Carrie lives and breathes today. Thank You, God, for all Your tender mercies. I pray for a renewing of divine patience for her family as they wait for the day when You raise Carrie up again.

Praying with you in agreement for Carrie's complete restoration and for the patience and wisdom needed by all of her family and caretakers. The Lord is faithful and His timing is perfect.

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